FAQs
The story so far
There was strong support for a cycling route between Halifax town centre and Keighley Rd. We have added detail about where the route is completely segregated from traffic and people walking, and where it shares space or uses quiet streets. The route will connect with other cycling improvements (A629 CIP scheme - https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/a629n) where it reaches the town centre.
Between Akroyd Place and Lee Bridge, the new proposals now include retaining some of the existing parking on Corporation Street and re-organising parking spaces on Akroyd Place. We have removed spaces that create a fire-safety risk and added new ones where possible to compensate for parking that is to be removed for the cycle lane.
We do not propose to implement a bus and cycle only section at Dean Clough/Lee Bridge. It may be introduced as part of another scheme. We therefore present options for reducing the impacts of traffic using Lee Bridge / Dean Clough as a short-cut route, including two options for bus and cycle only sections as well as two other options.
We have added details of new artwork, planting, and lighting under bridges at North Bridge and Lee Bridge. Many other areas will be improved with more planting, including snickets between Ovenden Way and the A629 Keighley Road.
The speed limit on the A629 Ovenden Road between Shroggs Road and Ovenden Way will be lowered to make walking and cycling safer and more pleasant. 20mph zones are introduced near Dean Clough.
Shay Lane: There was strong support for widening pavements on the west side of Shay Lane. Ideas to widen pavements without reducing parking too much have been put in place where possible but there are still considerable lengths of parking restriction proposed. We are no longer proposing to close Foundry St North or Jubiliee St North to through traffic. How much of the Shay Lane scheme we will be able to take forward may depend on the funding available.
People showed strong support for reducing traffic speeds and moving parking away from schools in Illingworth. We have developed these ideas to improve walking generally. Implementation may depend on the funding available.
Throughout North Halifax we have widened pavements where possible and introduced more crossings.
What’s happened so far?
In September 2020 we conducted a public survey with residents of North Halifax to help us to understand why some people don’t choose to walk or cycle. We asked how people felt about getting around the streets in their area, and hundreds of people took part.
The project team at Calderdale Council spoke with local Councillors and had a group discussion with people in North Halifax who suggested improvements to streets that would help people to walk and cycle more.
Following initial feedback, we created outline plans and asked for your views on those in Spring 2021. We have used feedback from the Spring 2021 consultation to make many changes to the proposals. Some key proposals are:
Who is leading on the delivery of this project?
This project is being led by Calderdale Council. The improvements will be paid for by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund. We have worked with local people and councillors to come up with our ideas and will carry on doing this as the project develops.
Details of the scheme
Removing on-street car parking to create a new cycle route or widen the pavement. This might mean there are double yellow lines in places where you can currently park.
Painting parking bays for on-street parking.
How will the new proposals for North Halifax be funded?
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has been awarded national government funding from the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund. This £8million project aims to make walking and cycling easier and safer and improve access between North Halifax and Halifax town centre. It aims to deliver changes to how people travel across the region by improving our streets. It is an important part of our aims to reduce the number of car journeys to help meet our commitment to become a net zero carbon city region by 2038.
Click here for more information about the Transforming Cities Fund programme.
Will COVID-19 restrictions have an impact on the delivery of the project?
By the time that the project has been completed, we expect that the way people get around will be back to how it was before COVID-19. More walking and cycling will be an important part of achieving our goal of becoming a net zero carbon city region by 2038, so having a transport system ready for the future is important.
What if I have a question or concern about a specific place in a Zone, or about a specific idea suggested in the proposals?
We encourage you to take part in the survey and record your thoughts there in questions about the relevant Zone. You can also contact the project team via the YourVoice email inbox (yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk) or ask us a question using the Q&A tool at the bottom of the YourVoice consultation page, and we will get back to you with a reply.
Will there be any disruption for access to the area during construction?
We currently expect construction to start in 2022 and finish in December 2023. Once we have more detailed designs a contractor will be appointed who will firm up the construction dates. We will work closely with the contractor to make sure that any impacts on users, residents and businesses are as small as possible, but there will be some disruption from road works. We will work closely with businesses and communities most affected to ensure all works are done with the minimum possible impact and they are alerted to the local construction schedule.
How will these proposals affect parking spaces, spaces for loading or drop-off and Blue Badge parking?
The plans presented as part of this consultation show where we are looking to make changes to parking arrangements, such as:
The feedback we receive will be used to shape and further develop the proposals in the next design stages. If the proposals change significantly then further consultation with stakeholders and the public could be required. Wherever blue badge parking exists we will look to keep it in the same place or close by.
We know that there are lots of businesses both big and small in North Halifax and each may have its own arrangements in terms of loading and unloading. The consultation gives business owners and those serving businesses a chance to comment on the proposals and tell us if you have any concerns.
What is a ‘bus and cycle only section’ and will one be delivered as part of this project?
A bus and cycle only section is a part of the highway where the only vehicles that can use that section of road are buses and bicycles. People can also walk through these areas. Any other vehicle would be detected using cameras at either end of the section and if that vehicle passed by both cameras, a fine could be imposed. If a vehicle only passed a camera at one end of the section then the fine would not be imposed. For example: if a vehicle enters one of the car parks at Dean Clough but then leaves the same way, there would be no fine. The benefit of bus and cycle only sections is that they reduce through traffic, making the area more pleasant for people on foot or cycling, and provide quicker journey times for bus passengers.
The Transforming Cities Fund will not be delivering a bus and cycle only section. However, it is still possible that other funding could do so. This consultation therefore presents the options around a bus and cycle only section as well as some alternatives to reduce the impact of traffic in the area.
Feedback, personal information and keeping up to date
Who can take part in the public consultation? Can I let other people know about it?
Anyone can take part. Please tell your friends and family about it. Whether you live in, work in, or visit North Halifax, your views are valuable to help us develop our ideas.
Please share the link www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/north-halifax-2 with anyone you think would be interested in taking part in the public consultation.
You can submit a joint response on behalf of a group or organisation by completing the online survey. If you need a downloaded copy of the survey, please email us at yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk. Please also share the link with your colleagues or members so they have the opportunity to provide an individual response, should they wish to do so.
How will my feedback be used?
We want to understand how people are currently travelling, and what their thoughts are on the current ideas for improvements to make walking and cycling easier and safer in West Halifax. After the public consultation is closed on Sunday 19 December 2021, all feedback will be analysed and considered as we develop the final designs.
When the proposals are finalised and approved, a contractor will be appointed and we expect construction to start around the winter of 2022/2023.
What will the personal information I provide be used for?
All personal information (such as age, postcode, gender) you provide will be anonymised and only used for analysis of the key findings and trends in this consultation. When we look at the feedback, we separate it by things like age and gender which helps us to understand how different groups of people feel about our proposals, which helps us to develop our ideas. You can read our Privacy Notice by clicking on this link (opens in a new tab).
How do I keep up to date with North Halifax Improved Streets for People?
Provide your contact information by clicking on the ‘sign up’ banner on the side of the YourVoice consultation page. You will receive information by email about the project. For more information on the project visit Calderdale Council’s ‘Calderdale Next Chapter’ website by clicking this link (opens in a new tab).
For social media updates on this project and other schemes being delivered by Calderdale Council, follow us on: Twitter: @CalderdaleNC | Facebook: Search Calderdale Next Chapter
About the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF)
Improve journeys by bus, rail, bike and on foot for up to 1.5 million people
Take up to 12 million car trips per year off our roads by 2036
Make 33 million rail journeys easier by improvements to rail stations
Increase bus, rail, and walking and cycling trips by up to 6%, 4% and 7% respectively by 2036
Reduce CO2 emissions by up to 1.5% / 15,000 tonnes from car travel by 2036
Create more than 1,000 jobs and add up to £1 billion to the economy by 2036
Support connectivity to 650 housing sites and 220 employment sites
What is the ‘Transforming Cities Fund’ (TCF) programme?
Providing an accessible, attractive and cleaner alternative to car journeys is at the heart of Leeds City Region’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) - a major new programme of transport infrastructure investment secured as part of the West Yorkshire devolution deal. The programme will be funded through £317 million from the Department for Transport (DfT) plus local match funding of up to £140 million.
In partnership with local authorities, the Combined Authority will deliver transformational infrastructure, which will dramatically improve people’s access to walking, cycling and public transport. It is estimated TCF schemes will improve journeys by bus, rail, bike and on foot for up to 1.5 million people, take up to 12 million car trips per year off our roads and reduce CO2 emissions from car travel by up to 15,000 tonnes by 2036.
Communities across Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York are set to benefit from the schemes, which include new or improved bus and rail stations, cycling and walking infrastructure, and new Park and Rides. You can find out more about the programme on the Combined Authority’s website by clicking here (opens in a new tab).
Which organisations are involved?
The Combined Authority is working in partnership with local authority colleagues from Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Selby, Wakefield and York councils on the TCF programme.
What benefits will the TCF programme bring?
It is estimated TCF will:
How is the TCF programme funded?
As part of the West Yorkshire devolution deal, the Combined Authority secured £317 million from the DfT’s TCF programme to deliver schemes in the low-cost scenario. Since then, the Combined Authority has approved the use of future gain share funding, alongside other income streams, to deliver the high-cost scenario up to an additional £140 million. This additional funding will help us deliver more transport improvements, which will benefit communities across West Yorkshire.
Why is this work important? / Why is this money being spent on TCF at this time?
This work is more important than ever, not only as we look to address the health and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also in helping us achieve our aim of becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038. We need to reduce car trips by 21% and increase cycling trips by 2,000%, walking trips by 78%, bus strips by 39% and rail trips by 53% if we are to achieve our ambitious net zero targets in this time frame. The programme will connect people to economic and education opportunities through accessible, affordable, attractive and cleaner transport, boosting productivity and helping to create healthier and happier communities for the future. Through the programme and building on the significant progress already made, we are working in partnership to transform our town and city centres for walking and cycling, improve bus reliability and journey times, and investing in our region to prepare for HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail and the Transpennine Route Upgrade.
Who will benefit?
Communities across Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York are set to benefit from the schemes, which include new or improved bus and rail stations, cycling and walking infrastructure, and new Park and Rides. The programme is focused on connecting people in the communities of greatest economic need with job and training opportunities. This will, in turn, help boost productivity, living standards and air quality.
When do projects get underway?
There are 22 packages of schemes, comprising of 35 individual projects, within the overall programme. Different schemes are at different stages, right through from the development of business cases and designs, to gearing up for public consultation, with Halifax Bus Station redevelopment due to start on site in spring 2021. Find out more information at www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/TCF
When will the programme of works be completed?
The schemes funded through the DfT need to be delivered by spring 2023, with schemes financed by local match funding being delivered beyond these timescales.
How is the programme impacted by COVID-19?
To date, there has been minimal impact of the programme as a result of COVID-19. The majority of the projects are at the early stages of development and much of the work required can be carried out virtually. As the schemes move to the next stage of delivery, we will continue to monitor the impact and identify any risks to delivery. We are also looking at best practice ways of delivering public consultations and engagement activity to ensure all members of the community get the opportunity to have their say on TCF schemes during COVID-19. The full implications of COVID-19 on the region, the economy and the transport system are still to be understood and the impact on the Combined Authority’s programmes and schemes to date has been mixed. We are working closely with our local authority partners at every level of our appraisal process to ensure delivery timescales have taken into account the current issues and that each scheme is stress tested to ensure its ongoing viability. In the wake of COVID-19 it is more important than ever to assess the changes to the landscapes of our towns and cities, and the impact on current and future planned schemes, particularly, but not exclusively, those relating to transport. The impact of COVID-19 in relation to travel behaviour into and around towns and cities is assessed as part of each scheme’s appraisal. While public transport patronage is currently lower than pre COVID-19 levels, it remains a priority to invest in public transport infrastructure to both help with economic recovery and to have the required infrastructure in place to respond to an increase in demand post-COVID-19.
As part of West Yorkshire’s devolution deal, £317 million was secured to deliver the Leeds City Region TCF programme but it will cost more than this to deliver the schemes outlined in the bid. What does this mean?
A range of options are being developed as part of each business case to determine the best scheme, which will include a range of options up to the high-cost scenario. As part of the devolution deal, the Combined Authority secured £317 million from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) TCF fund to deliver schemes in the low-cost scenario. Since then, the Combined Authority has approved the use of future gain-share funding, alongside other income streams, to deliver the high-cost scenario up to £140 million.
How does TCF complement other transport infrastructure schemes being delivered across the region?
It will build on the significant investment already made through the Combined Authority’s other programmes, such as the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, Connecting Leeds and CityConnect. Many of the TCF schemes provide enhancements or extensions to the projects being delivered through these programmes, helping to spread the benefits across a wider geography. The programme is focused on connecting people in the communities of greatest economic need with job and training opportunities. This will, in turn, help boost productivity, living standards and air quality. For more information about the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund visit www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/projects/west-yorkshire-plus-transport-fund (External link) For more information about Connecting Leeds visit www.leeds.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/connecting-leeds-and-transforming-travel(External link) For more information about CityConnect visit www.cyclecityconnect.co.uk (External link)
Where can I find out more information?
Find out more information about the Transforming Cities Fund programme at www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/TCF (External link)
How can I have my say on schemes in my area?
Public consultation and engagement activities are scheduled to take place in 2021. Details of the TCF consultations can be found at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk. You can get in touch with the Combined Authority’s Consultation and Engagement team via YourVoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk (External link), 0113 245 7676 or Freepost CONSULTATION TEAM (WYCA). Please note that, due to the COVID-19 crisis, the majority of the Combined Authority’s staff are working from home and there will therefore be significant delays in receiving any postal contributions. If you can, please contact the team using another method to ensure a quick response.
How was the bid developed?
The bid was led by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in partnership with the 10 local authorities across the Leeds City Region. It was developed in two stages, with a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) submitted to the DfT in June 2019. The final bid was submitted to the DfT in November 2019. The bid documents can be found at www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/TCF (External link)
Who was the bid developed with?
The bid was developed in partnership with local authorities across the Leeds City Region, including Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Selby, Wakefield and York. The bid was also co-developed with the DfT, which provided feedback on the plans as they emerged. In line with other Mayoral Combined Authorities, we are required to feedback on the progress of the programme’s delivery.
How were decisions made around which schemes to include in the bid?
The programme is focused on connecting people in the communities of greatest economic need with job and training opportunities. This will, in turn, help boost productivity, living standards and air quality. As part of the bidding process, the Combined Authority was asked to develop a series of schemes, which could be delivered under three different cost scenarios (low, core and high). Each scheme needed to meet the Combined Authority’s priorities, as well as objectives set out by the DfT, such as reducing carbon emissions, and increasing capacity for commuters with better access to employment centres, especially from disadvantaged communities. Schemes put forward by local authorities were scored against the objectives before being reviewed as a programme. Once agreement had been reached between local authority and Combined Authority officers, the programme was signed off by each of the leaders, as well as members of the Combined Authority’s Transport Committee.
What if my comment is about maintenance or upkeep of an existing cycle route or highway?
This consultation is only about the proposals for this project. The best way to report an issue about an existing road or cycle path is by directly contacting the Calderdale Council Highways Maintenance team by clicking on this link (opens in a new tab).